Nothing has caused more excitement and led to more technological innovation than the explosion of AI. However, for all the advances that machine learning brings to productivity and decision-making, it has a major downside: cybersecurity risks. Businesses often underestimate (or outright ignore) the security risks of adopting new solutions and don’t understand how network segmentation shields AI software from threats.
The Role of Network Segmentation in Threat Containment
The fact that companies of all sizes are gravitating toward off-the-shelf AI solutions and populating them with sensitive data does not escape hackers’ notice. Criminals are successfully going after AI tools with a vengeance — and if your company’s security setup isn’t strong enough to block them, the tools you rely on to improve operations could prove to be your company’s downfall.
This is especially likely if your approach to security relies on traditional tactics like firewalls and software solutions. Although these remain critical elements, AI's threats require a deeper level of defense because they require more access and updates than the typical system.
Network segmentation is vital in controlling access and restricting lateral movement across the system. Essentially, this approach separates devices and networks to reduce unauthorized access. This separation is how network segmentation shields AI software from threats since you can better control traffic between specific areas of the network.
Creating security zones prevents attackers from running amok in your network if they gain access. They cannot move between devices or systems to access data, steal credentials, or increase their privileges to reach bigger targets. In short, while microsegmentation might not keep the hackers out, it restricts them to one place.
The Advantages of Network Segmentation for AI Software Security
Dividing your company’s network into smaller, isolated segments significantly enhances security, reduces risk, and safeguards sensitive data. The enhanced access control and limited lateral movement during a data breach secure critical AI systems and data, ensuring that only authorized and necessary systems can interact.
Network segmentation also supports better system performance and monitoring. Directing and isolating network traffic to specific, well-defined zones reduces congestion, maximizing speed and performance. More importantly (at least from a security standpoint), less traffic in critical segments makes monitoring what’s happening on the network and detecting anomalies to identify potential cyber threats easier.
As AI tools create new privacy concerns, your business must comply with strict laws and regulations regarding data protection. Segmenting the network allows you to isolate sensitive data subject to these strict and ever-changing privacy laws. Keeping your AI systems and relevant data confined to compliance-ready zones helps your company avoid fines and legal issues in the event of a security incident.
Understanding how network segmentation shields AI software from threats and adding it to your business’s security strategy provides additional protection as you embrace the AI revolution. Remember that every new tool you adopt gives cybercriminals a new attack vector, but segmentation is a powerful deterrent.
